Corner shelf structure

ABSTRACT

A knock-down corner shelf structure comprises three uprights interconnected at upper portions to form a skeletal pyramidal corner structure with one of the uprights positioned at the corner of a pair of adjoining walls and the other uprights extending forwardly and downwardly along the two walls. Shelf support rods interconnect the forward uprights and the entire structure is held together in a rigid assembly by a number of triangular shaped shelves connected only at the rear corners to the rear upright. The shelves rest at their forward portions on the forward shelf supports and have outer forward corners that extend forwardly and laterally outwardly of the forward uprights to provide a wedging action that restrains forward motion of the forward uprights.

United States Patent 11 1 Erickson 1 1 Sept. 23, 1975 [54] CORNER SHELFSTRUCTURE 666,486 8/1964 Italy 211/134 [76] Inventor: Alfred J.Erickson, 624 Brookway L Las Vegas, 9109 Primary Examiner-Roy D. FrazierAssistant Examiner-William E. Lyddane [22] F'led: 1974 Attorney, Agent,or FirmGau1sewitz, Carr & 21 Appl. No.: 447,145 Rothenberg [52] U.S. c1.108/92; 108/101; 108/111; 1 ABSTRACT log/153 A knock-down corner shelfstructure comprises three [51] Int. Cl. A47B 57/00 uprightsinterconnected at upper portions to form a [58] Fleld of Search log/9210] I 1 skeletal pyramidal corner structure with one of the up- 108/155;211/901 134; 248/222 rights positioned at the corner of a pair ofadjoining walls and the other uprights extending forwardly and [56]References C'ted downwardly along the two walls. Shelf support rodsUNITED STATES PATENTS interconnect the forward uprights and the entirestrucl,374,633 4/1921 Boyle 108/111 X ture is held together in a rigidassembly by a number 1,597,284 8/1926 Norman 108/101 of triangularshaped shelves connected only at the rear 1,909,223 5/1933 Roos 108/99corners to the rear upright. The shelves rest at their 2,036,184 4/1936Armstrong-m 108/101 forward portions on the forward shelf supports and2'249l42 7/1941 Kagel have outer forward corners that extend forwardlyand 2873033 2/1959 Mapston? 211/134 X laterally outwardly of the forwarduprights to provide 2,883,064 4/1959 McKenzie 108/99 023,079 2/1894Hermann 108/92 x a Wedgmg that restrams forward of the FOREIGN PATENTSOR APPLICATIONS Switzerland 211/134 nun-"nun.

forward uprights.

8 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of theInvention The present invention relates to knock-down support structuresand more particularly concerns a knockdown corner shelf structure thatemploys a minimum number of connecting devices.

2. Description of Prior Art Knock-down and readily assembled structuresof various sizes are of many different designs and find a wideapplication. Among advantages of such knockdown structures are the readytransportability and handling and decreased manufacturing cost due tominimized manufacture and assembly time. Major disadvantages ofstructures of this type include the skill, manual dexterity, know-howand tools often required for assembly. Further, where parts are made tointerfit, dimensional and configurational tolerances are greatlyincreased, thus increasing manufacturing cost.

Various types of shelf structures have been devised to meet majorrequirements of rigidity, stability, ease of assembly, utility andesthetics. Examples of such structures are shown in the U.S. Pats. No.1,374,633 to Boyle; Kraenler U.S. Pat No. 2,167,483; McKenzie U.S. Pat.No. 2,883,064; Heftel U.S. Pat. No. 3,028,016; and the design patent toHermann U.S. Pat. No. D-23,079.

These structures are merely exemplary of many such devices of the priorart. They are generally either foldable, being substantiallypre-fabricated rigid structures hingedly interconnected, as in thepatent to Heftel, screwed or bolted together by means of connectingdevices at the junctions of the various elements, as in the patents toHermann and Boyle, or involve some combination of interconnectingelements and foldability as in McKenzie and Kraemer. The structures ofthe prior art are of relatively complex configurations and difficult tomanufacture. They require a significant degree of preassembly by themanufacturer, and require skill, patience and various tools for assemblyby the user.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide aknock-down corner shelf structure of improved design, stability andappearance that substantially minimizes the above-mentioneddisadvantages.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In carrying out principles of the presentinvention, in accordance with a preferred embodiment thereof, a rearupright and a pair of forward uprights form a skeletal pyramidal cornerstructure adapted to stand at the junction of a pair of adjoining walls.Forward shelf support means interconnects the forward uprights andrestrains laterally outward motion thereof. One or more shelves eachhaving a rear portion connected to the rear upright and a forwardportion carried by a forward shelf support are provided. Each shelf isarranged so that its forward portion includes means for wedging againstthe forward uprights to restrain forwardly directed motion of theuprights. In the exemplary embodiment, the entire structure may beassembled in a matter of minutes with no tools whatsoever by simplypositioning the several parts in the indicated relation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS tion with parts broken away to showsupport elements;

F IG. 2 is a partially exploded view of the supporting structure beforethe shelves are assembled;

FIG. 3 shows an enlarged detail of one form of connection of the rearshelf corner;

FIG. .4 shows an enlarged detail of connection of the upper portions ofthe uprights; and

FIG. 5 shows an enlarged detail of connection of the forward shelfsupport to the forward uprights.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION As illustrated in FIG. 1, the preferred embodimentof the corner shelf structure of the present invention includes a rearpost or upright 10 and first and second forward posts or uprights 12, 14interconnected at the upper ends thereof to form a skeletal pyramidalcomer structure. The rear post 10, in use, will stand at the cornerformed by adjoining walls 16, 18 ofa room in which the structure islocated. The two forward posts 12, 14 extend downwardly and forwardlyfrom the rear post along the respective walls 16 and 18. As illustratedin the drawings, the posts are formed with a square crosssec tion, withthe ends of posts 12 and 14 being cut at appropriate angles so that thebottoms will rest evenly upon the floor 19 on the one hand and the upperends thereof will rest flat against the side 10a and 10b of the rearpost 10. Motion of the forward posts l2, 14 downwardly or upwardlyrelative to the rear post 10 is restrained by post interconnection meanscomprising a pair of dowels or pins such as pin 20, best seen in theenlarged detail of FIG. 4. Pin 20 is a snug fit in mating blind holesdrilled in rear post '10 and the beveled edge of forward post 12.Similarly, post 14 is restrained against motion with respect to the post10 by an identical arrangement of a pin and mating holes (not shown).The interconnection between the posts at the upper portion thereof neednot be a rigid connection nor need the pins be a tight or press fit inthe respective holes because other elements of the structure, moreparticularly described below, provide restraints on motion of the twoforward posts. Accordingly, the interconnection, specifically the pin 20and its counterpart for post 14, need merely act to position the forwardpost with respect to the rear post and to restrain the downward motionof the upper portions of the forward post relative to the rear post.

The posts are illustrated as formed of solid wood of rectangularcross-section. It will be readily appreciated that the posts may be ofother configuration, circular, rectangular, triangular or the llike andmay be either solid or tubular. Of course, other materials such asplastic or metal tubing may be readily employed for the posts if deemednecessary or desirable.

For improved portability each of the posts are foldable about a hingeaxis at the adjoining wall. Thus, each post is made in two substantiallyequal lengths connected by hinges ll, 13 and 15 to fold outwardly asillustrated in dotted lines for post 26 in FIG. 2.

As seen in FIG. 2, each forward post is provided with a plurality ofhorizontally extending (when the apparatus is assembled) blind holes 22,24, 26, there being one for each of the shelves of the finishedstructure. For each of the horizontally extending holes in the post 12there is a corresponding opposed hole in the post 14 so that a pair ofmutually aligned holes in the posts 12 and 14 respectively, each mayreceive a forward shelf support such as one of the rigid rods 28, 30 and32 shown in FIG. 2. Each rod has a respective end thereof entering theposts 12, 14 with a snug fit in the holes of the respective posts 12 and14. The holes are positioned so that the rods 28, 30 and 32 extendhorizontally between the forward posts when the posts 10, 12 and 14 arein assembled condition.

Fixed to the rear post are a plurality of rear shelf supports in theform of hooks 34, 36, and 38, best shown in the enlarged detail of FIG.3. Each of the hooks has a first portion extending substantiallyhorizontally into fixed engagement with the rear post, as by beingscrewed into the post as indicated in FIG. 3. The free end of the hookincludes an upstanding leg 40 that is adapted to be received in anaperture 42 provided in the rear comer of each shelf.

A plurality of shelves, 44, 46 and 48, of triangular configuration areshown in the illustrated embodiment. More or fewer shelves may be used.The shelves are formed of solid triangular members such as triangularwood panels or the like, each having a rear corner 50 and first andsecond forward corners 52, 54. The aperture 42, which may be a throughaperture or a blind aperture opens at the bottom of the rear corner ofthe shelf to receive the upstanding portion 40 of the hook 38. Theforward portion of each shelf, just inwardly of the forward edge 56thereof, rests upon the forward shelf support rod such as rod 32 for thelower shelf. It will be understood, of course, that each of the shelvesis identical in configuration and support to each of the other shelves,differing only in the shelf size as may be readily seen in FIG. 1. Theshelves include side edges, such as 58, 60 for shelf 48, which extendfrom the rear post respectively toward and beyond the respective forwardposts 12 and 14. Each shelf is connected by means of the hook 38 andaperture 41 at its rear corner to the rear post, and is otherwiseunconnected to any of the other structure. Each shelf merely rests atits forward portion upon its forward shelf support and engages the twoforward posts 12 and 14 at the forward portions of the shelf side edges.

The parts of the described corner shelf structure may be manufactured,shipped and sold to the user in completely knock-down condition with nopart interconnected to any other part, except for the fact that it maybe preferable for the manufacturer to mount the hooks 34, 36, 38 intothe rear post 10 and further to mount the two pins, such as pin into theholes in the rear posts. Of course, the pins 20 may be provided in unassembled condition since these are merely inserted as a snug but notnecessarily tight fit in the holes. Instead of premounting the hooks 34,36, 38, pilot holes may be drilled into the rear post 10 so that thehooks 34, 36, 38 may be readily screwed into such holes by the buyer ofthe shelf during assembly.

In assembly of the shelf structure described herein, the rear post isplaced in vertical position in a corner formed by two walls at which thestructure is to stand and the pins 20 inserted in the appropriate holesin the rear post if they have not been previously so inserted. Then theforward posts 12, 14 are positioned substantially as illustrated inFIGS. 1 and 2 with the holes in the upper portions of these postsreceiving the pins 20 extending from the rear posts. Hooks 34, 36, 38are inserted into the appropriate points of the rear post if they arenot previously so assembled, making sure that the upper portions 40 ofthe hooks are substantially vertically orientated.

Now the shelf support rods 28, 30 and 32 are simply inserted in theappropriate apertures in the forward posts, moving the posts slightlyforwardly as may be required for insertion of the second end of eachrod. The shelvesare then mounted. Mounting of each shelf simplycomprises positioning its aperture 42 to receive the upstanding portion40 of the appropriate hooks 34, 36, 38 and resting the bottom surface ofthe forward portion of the shelf upon the appropriate forward shelfsupport. Thus, no connecting devices have to be handled and no tools arerequired to complete this simple assembly procedure.

It will be seen that the assembly provides for a rigid, sturdy andstable structure in which the interconnection of the parts locks theseveral elements in the desired configuration and wherein weight placedupon the shelves will act to enhance the rigidity of the structure. Theforward shelf supports, even though the ends thereof are snug but nottight fits in the posts l2, 14, will act to restrain motion of each ofthese posts in a clirection exactly parallel to the adjacent wall. Forsuch motion to occur, the two forward posts, 12 and 14, must move apartfrom each other along the length of the rod 32 or forward shelf supportand such tendancy will be restrained by the binding action of the rodends within the post apertures. Of course, if deemedmecessary ordesirable, the rods may be fixed to the posts 12, 14, to more positivelyrestrain withdrawal of the rods from the post apertures, by any suitableconnecting means such as adhesive, pins or other mechanical connectingdevices. However, it is found that such additional connecting devicesare not required and adequate restraint against the spreading apart ofthe forward legs 12 and 14 is provided by the forward shelf supportswhen merely inserted in the post apertures.

The triangular shelf completes the assembly of the structure andprovides a locking or wedging action which restrains forward motion ofthe forward posts 12 and 14. Each shelf is restrained against motionforwardly of the rear post by means of the hook and aper tureconnection. Further, its forward corners 52, 54 extend forwardly andoutwardly of the posts 12 and 14. The forward edge of the shelf isforwardly of the front post because it is further from the rear cornerthan is the front surface of the forward post, at the height of theshelf, as measured in a direction parallel to a plane bisecting theangle between the walls. As measured in a direction perpendicular tosuch plane, the front corners of the shelf extend outwardly, that is,further out than the surface of the forward post that contacts the sideedge of the shelf.

Therefore, the shelf restrains any motion of the forward posts in aforward direction, along a line parallel to the plane bisecting theangle between the walls 16, 18. It is found that the simple wedgingaction of the forward comers of the shelf at the side edges 58, 60thereof provides an adequate locking of the entire structure in theassembled condition. Nevertheless, if deemed necessary or desirable,suitable means may be secured to the underside of each shelf to restrainforward motion (in a direction substantially along the plane bisectingthe angle between the two walls) of the support rods 28, 30, 32 and thusrestrain forward motion of the forward posts. Such a restraint on theshelf supports may be in the form of a groove extending substantiallyparallel to the shelf support rod and receiving at least a portion ofthe upper surface of the rod or it may be a depending lip, flange orbracket or the like fixed to the underside of the shelf and extendingdownwardly in front of the shelf supporting rod.

The assembly is further stabilized by action of the weight of objectsplaced on the shelves. Further repeated disassembly and assembly may bereadily carried out as may be desired without degradation of rigidity orstability.

It will be readily appreciated that variations in the specific elementsand interrelations of parts may be made without departing fromprinciples of the present invention. Nevertheless, it is significantthat, with no screws, bolts or clamping devices, but merely by the useof one pair of pins, a single hook and front support rod for each shelf,and the wedging action of each triangular shelf which is free of anyother connection with the posts and shelf support, the entire structuremay be readily assembled to provide a rigid, stable and sturdy supportof pleasing appearance.

The foregoing detailed description is to be clearly understood as givenby way of illustration and example only, the spirit and scope of thisinvention being limited solely by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A cornen shelf structure comprising a rear post and first and secondforward posts, all interconnected at upper ends thereof to form askeletal pyramidal structure,

a forward shelf support comprising a substantially horizontallyextending support member connected at opposite ends thereof to saidfirst and second forward posts,

a substantially horizontal shelf having a rear corner, and first andsecond forward corners, having first and second side edges extendingfrom the rear post to the first and second forward posts respectively,and having a forward edge extending substantially between said first andsecond forward posts, and

means for connecting said rear corner to said rear post,

said shelf being free of connection with said forward shelf support andbeing free of connection with said first and second forward posts buthaving a forward portion resting upon said shelf support,

said forward edge extending forwardly of said shelf support and saidforward corners extending forwardly of said first and second forwardposts respectively, and said side edges of the shelf being in contactwith said forward posts, motion of said forward posts away from oneanother being resisted by said forward shelf support and motion of saidforward posts away from said rear post being resistedby the forwardshelf comers, whereby the forward posts are locked in position by thecollective restraints exerted by the forward shelf support and theforward corners of the shelf.

2. The corner shelf structure of claim 1 wherein said shelf is of asubstantially triangular configuration and wherein said means forconnecting said rear corner to said rear post comprises hook meanssecured to said rear post and connected with said rear shelf corner 3.The shelf structure of claim 1 wherein said shelf is of a substantiallytriangular configuration, and wherein said side edges are in wedgingengagement with said forward uprights to restrain forward motion of saidforward uprights away from said rear upright.

4. The shelf structure of claim 1 wherein said forward shelf supportcomprises a rod connected at opposite ends thereof to said first andsecond forward post and extending therebetween, and wherein said shelfcomprises a flat member having its forward portion resting on said rod.

5. The corner shelf structure of claim 2 wherein said hook meanscomprises a hook fixed to one of said rear post and said shelf and ahook receiver fixed to the other of said rear post and shelf.

6. The shelf structure of claim 1 wherein said means for connecting saidrear corner-to said rear post comprises a hook in the rear post and ahook receiving aperture formed in the rear corner of the shelf.

7. The shelf structure of claim 1 wherein said forward shelf supportmember comprises a substantially rigid horizontally extending rod, eachof said forward posts having an aperture that snugly receives arespective one of the ends of said rod.

8. The corner shelf structure of claim 7 including means forinterconnecting said posts at upper portions thereof, saidinterconnecting means comprising a pair of pin-receiving holes formed inan upper portion of said rear post, a third pin-receiving hole formed inan upper portion of one of said forward posts and a fourth pin-receivinghole formed in an upper portion of the other of said forward posts, afirst pin received in one of the holes of the rear post and in acorresponding hole of said one forward post and a second pin received inthe other of the holes in the rear post and in a corresponding hole ofthe other of said forward posts.

1. A corner shelf structure comprising a rear post and first and secondforward posts, all interconnected at upper ends thereof to form askeletal pyramidal structure, a forward shelf support comprising asubstantially horizontally extending support member connected atopposite ends thereof to said first and second forward posts, asubstantially horizontal shelf having a rear corner, and first andsecond forward corners, having first and second side edges extendingfrom the rear post to the first and second forward posts respectively,and having a forward edge extending substantially between said first andsecond forward posts, and means for connecting said rear corner to saidrear post, said shelf being free of connection with said forward shelfsupport and being free of connection with said first and second forwardposts but having a forward portion resting upon said shelf support, saidforward edge extending forwardly of said shelf support and said forwardcorners extending forwardly of said first and second forward postsrespectively, and said side edges of the shelf being in contact withsaid forward posts, motion of said forward posts away from one anotherbeing resisted by said forward shelf support and motion of said forwardposts away from said rear post being resisted by the forward shelfcorners, whereby the forward posts are locked in position by thecollective restraints exerted by the forward shelf support and theforward corners of the shelf.
 2. The corner shelf structure of claim 1wherein said shelf is of a substantially triangular configuration andwherein said means for connecting said rear corner to said rear postcomprises hook means secured to said rear post and connected with saidrear shelf corner
 3. The shelf structure of claim 1 wherein said shelfis of a substantially triangular configuration, and wherein said sideedges are in wedging engagement with said forward uprights to restrainforward motion of said forward uprights away from said rear upright. 4.The shelf structure of claim 1 wherein said forward shelf supportcomprises a rod connected at opposite ends thereof to said first andsecond forward post and extending therebetween, and wherein said shelfcomprises a flat member having its forward portion resting on said rod.5. The corner shelf structure of claim 2 wherein said hook meanscomprises a hook fixed to one of said rear post and said shelf and ahook receiver fixed to the other of said rear post and shelf.
 6. Theshelf structure of claim 1 wherein said means for connecting said rearcorner to said rear post comprises a hook in the rear post and a hookreceiving aperture formed in the rear corner of the shelf.
 7. The shelfstructure of claim 1 wherein said forward shelf support member comprisesa substantially rigid horizontally extending rod, each of said forwardposts having an aperture that snugly receives a respective one of theends of said rod.
 8. The corner shelf structure of claim 7 includingmeans for interconnecting said posts at upper portions thereof, saidinterconnecting means comprising a pair of pin-receiving holes formed inan upper portion of said rear post, a third pin-receiving hole formed inan upper portion of one of said forward posts and a fourth pin-receivinghole formed in an upper portion of the other of said forward posts, afirst pin received in one of the holes of the rear post and in acorresponding hole of said one forward post and a second pin received inthe other of the holes in the rear post and in a corresponding hole ofthe other of said forward posts.